BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION MAY 2024 RECENTLY, THE CLUB HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENTS INVOLVING DAMAGE TO BREAK BULK CARGO. CARRIAGE OF BREAK BULK AND PROJECT CARGO THESE DAMAGE CLAIMS PRIMARILY FALL INTO TWO CATEGORIES: • Inadequate loading, stowage and securing of break bulk cargoes which has resulted in cargo damage due to cargo shifting and stow collapsing. Additionally, it can cause stability problems for the ship. • When vehicles are incorrectly stowed, lashed and carried as non-dangerous cargo – for more detailed advice please see our guidance on the carriage of vehicles in bulk carriers/general cargo ships. All ships carrying any type of cargo, except solid and liquid bulk cargoes, must have a Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) approved by the flag administration. The CSM must outline all lashing and securing arrangements, and devices onboard the ship, detailing their correct application and the recommended methods for securing of cargo. Shipowners must ensure that they load, stow, and secure all non-bulk cargo in accordance with the ship’s approved CSM. They must always consider the applicable recommendations of the “Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing” (CSS Code), as well as the “International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code” (IMDG Code) for dangerous cargo in packaged form. If a certain cargo is not covered or allowed to be loaded by the ship’s CSM, shipowners should consult the Classification Society to obtain approval and then amend the CSM accordingly. This may also necessitate altering the physical lashing arrangement and/or providing additional lashing equipment. Contemporary break bulk and project cargo trading often includes specific requirements for stowing and securing cargo. When considering carrying such cargo on bulk carriers, it’s important to remember that these ships are generally not designed or equipped like general cargo or multi-purpose ships. Moreover, bulk carrier crews may lack experience in stowing and securing break bulk or project cargo, necessitating meticulous planning and supervision. 2 | BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION | GUIDANCE BREAK BULK AND PROJECT CARGO As a general definition, break bulk cargo refers to goods that are loaded individually onto a ship in individually counted units and are not contained within shipping containers. These goods are typically loaded into drums, bags, pallets, sacks, barrels, or crates. Examples of break bulk cargo include machinery parts, steel coils, bags of coffee, or crates of machinery. Project cargo refers to large, heavy, or oversized items that require special handling and transportation due to their size, weight, or complexity. This type of cargo is often associated with large construction projects, infrastructure developments, or industrial projects. Examples of project cargo include wind turbine components, heavy machinery, oversized pipes, or equipment for oil and gas projects. Project cargo could be of high value and requires customised transportation solutions and could involve coordination with multiple transportation modes, such as sea, road, and rail. IMPROPER STOWAGE AND SECURING THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE VEHICLES AND HEAVY PROJECT CARGOES HAVE BEEN STOWED ON TOP OF BAGGED CARGO WHICH DOES NOT ALWAYS PROVIDE A FIRM ENOUGH BASE FOR SAFELY STOWING OR SECURING THE HEAVIER CARGO ON TOP. In many instances, wheel-based cargoes are improperly secured to other cargo instead of being properly fastened to the ship as required by the ship’s